Attending the Grass Valley Citizen Police Academy is a great way to learn about the Police Department, the services it provides and how it delivers these services. We believe that citizens informed about, aware of, and active in, crime prevention build a community where crime cannot flourish.

Academy Objectives
Classes are designed to give each graduate:

• • An understanding of the community policing philosophy, how it releates to the way the department functions, and how it relates to the services that the police provide.
• • General knowledge of the criminal justice system and the role this Department has in it.
• • An awareness of what it is like to be a police officer and an insight into the daily challenges with which officers are involved.
• • Knowledge of crime prevention initiatives and how to be active in community policing.
• • Information on volunteer opportunities and how to become a member of the volunteer patrol.

Class Topics
Although specific courses may vary in depth of coverage, depending on the instructors, the Academy provides information on:

• • Grass Valley Police Departments organization, operations and hiring standards
• • Crime in Grass Valley
• • Community Policing
• • Criminal Justice System
• • Traffic Law
• • Patrol Procedures
• • Investigations, Reports and Records
• • Narcotics
• • Crime Analysis
• • Case Studies
• • Defensive Tactics
• • 911 and Dispatch
• • Crime Prevention
• • Police Equipment
• • Emergency Vehicle Operations
• • Identify Theft Prevention
• • Volunteer Program

Academy Instructors
Most instructors are sworn officers, of all ranks, from the Grass Valley Police Department who teach in their areas of expertise. Other instructors are connected with the department either as employees or volunteers, or as members of other agencies in law enforcement or criminal justice.


Participation and Commitment
The Academy is a 10-week program which provides instruction, discussion, and participation. Classes meet from 6:30pm to 9:00pm one night a week. Dress is casual, the classroom atmosphere is relaxed and everyone is encouraged to ask questions. Participation in the Academy is free. There is no commitment beyond attending classes.

Participant Qualifications

• • Minimum age of 16 years. Applicants under 18 must have signed consent form and be accompanied during classes by a parent or legal guardian.
• • Live or work in the Grass Valley area.
• • No felony convictions.
• • No misdemeanor convictions within one year of application.
• • Not to miss more than two classes.

After completing and submitting an application, a member of the police department will contact candidates for an interview. A brief background check will be done to confirm eligibility. Parents or legal guardians accompanying minors must also submit an application and undergo a background check. Class size is limited to 25 participants. Acceptance is based on qualifications, background and by date of receipt of the application.

Looking for information on the 2009 CSI Academy? Download a brochure or an application.

In November of 1995, the Grass Valley Police Department formally established a community program called the "Volunteer Patrol." The goal of this program is to recruit, train, and deploy citizen volunteers to perform routine, non-hazardous police functions, thereby allowing officers to concentrate on those duties that only police personnel can perform. Citizens who are selected to volunteer must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of Nevada County, submit an application, be of good health, undergo a background investigation including an interview, and then must satisfactorily perform duties during a 40 hour on-the-job training phase.

Grass Valley Police Department Volunteer Patrol is a proactive, community based crime prevention program that models a cooperative effort between the Police Department and citizen volunteers. This program is designed to reduce local crime and social disorder by improving the effectiveness of police response, increasing patrol coverage, and strengthening the partnerships between police department personnel and community residents.

Should you have an interest in becoming a volunteer for the Grass Valley Police Department, please call the Volunteer Coordinator at 477-4600.

The City of Grass Valley is divided into sub-areas known as Community Oriented Policing Program blocks. A COPP block is a section of the City of Grass Valley that has been designated to a specific officer. The officer makes contact with the residents and businesses within their designated COPP area. Citizens are encouraged to contact their COPP Officer for general questions, information, or to set up a crime prevention program. The COPP program is designed to enhance interaction between officers and the citizens of Grass Valley in an effort to improve community relations and crime prevention.

To find out who your COPP block officer is, or to report information to your COPP block officer, call 477-4600. If this is an emergency, or requires immediate police action, call 9-1-1.

Becoming part of an existing Neighborhood Watch program, or starting a new one, is a great way for community members to become involved in crime prevention. By bringing citizens together with law enforcement, a Neighborhood Watch is one of the best ways to deter crime and make communities safer. For more information on the Neighborhood Watch Program click HERE.